Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo Abuja, September 9, 2025 — The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced an immediate ban on unlicensed boat operations and loading from unauthorised jetties across Nigeria, in a sweeping move to improve safety on the nation’s inland waterways. At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, NIWA Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji said the new directives were necessary to curb the rising wave of fatal boat accidents. “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorised loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other…

By Peter Omopo Stockholm, September 9, 2025 — Sweden’s newly appointed Health Minister, Elisabet Lann, collapsed on Tuesday during a press conference marking the start of the country’s new parliamentary year. Lann, a municipal councillor from Gothenburg and a member of the Christian Democratic Congress, had only just been announced as health minister following the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Acko Ankarberg Johansson, on Monday. The incident occurred while Lann stood alongside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and other senior officials. Witnesses said she suddenly fainted, striking her head against the lectern before collapsing to the floor. Party leader Ebba Busch…

By Peter Omopo Uyo, September 9, 2025 — The Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has officially commenced, bringing together more than 3,000 athletes who will compete across 18 sporting events. The opening ceremony, held in Uyo on Tuesday, marked the beginning of the week-long games designed to showcase talent, foster unity, and promote grassroots sports development in the state. Declaring the festival open, state officials said the competition would serve as a platform to discover young talents capable of representing Akwa Ibom — and Nigeria — at national and international levels. Events at the festival include athletics, football, basketball, table…

By Peter Omopo Ibadan, September 9, 2025 — The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the killing of Ibadan-based journalist Peter Ojo, calling for a thorough police investigation to bring his attackers to justice. Ojo, a former reporter with the Daily Monitor, was shot dead on August 18 by suspected armed robbers along the Molete–Oke Ado axis of the Oyo State capital. His death was initially believed to be health-related until his younger brother, Enahoro Peter, confirmed that he was attacked. In a statement issued Tuesday, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, described Ojo’s death as “a devastating loss to…

By Peter Omopo Lagos, September 9, 2025 — The management of Dangote Refinery has assured Nigerians that the ongoing strike by petroleum tanker drivers will not lead to fuel scarcity across the country. The strike, launched Monday by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has drawn solidarity from local and international labour organisations. The union accuses the refinery of hiring drivers on the condition that they do not join trade unions — a claim the company strongly denies. Speaking on Tuesday, Anthony Chiejina, spokesperson for Dangote Refinery, said fuel supply remains stable. “There is no fuel…

By Peter Omopo September 9, 2025 — The Abia State Government has announced a ban on mid-school transfers for students in Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) and Senior Secondary 3 (SS3) as part of sweeping reforms to tackle examination malpractice and strengthen accountability in the education sector. The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Umuahia. He said the policy would apply to both public and private schools across the state. According to Ubochi, all SS2 students will now be required to pass a state-organised promotion examination before advancing to SS3,…

By Peter Omopo Ado Ekiti, September 9, 2025 — The second edition of the Ikogosi 17.5km Marathon Race will hold on November 8, 2025, at the famous Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State, with organisers projecting up to 5,000 athletes from across Nigeria and beyond. The Race Consultant, Femi Abegunde, announced the details at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday. He said the event, organised by the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative in partnership with the Ekiti State Government, would feature both elite and indigenous runners and is designed to match international standards. “The Ikogosi Marathon is more than…

By Peter Omopo Abuja, September 9, 2025 — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to review petitions from Urhobo and Ijaw communities in Delta State following a peaceful protest at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The demonstrators, drawn from Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West Local Government Areas, accused the commission of delaying the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment of December 2, 2022, which ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency. Carrying placards, the protesters submitted a petition signed by 16 community leaders to INEC Chairman, Prof.…

By Peter Omopo Abuja, September 9, 2025 — The Presidency has dismissed recent claims by former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, on Nigeria’s debt situation, describing his remarks as “political theatrics” rather than serious economic analysis. In a post via his verified X handle on Tuesday, Presidential Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, responded sharply to Melaye’s criticisms of the Tinubu administration’s borrowing practices. Melaye, speaking earlier on Arise News, had mocked the government’s loan requests, alleging that Nigeria’s debt burden was so severe that the administration might soon resort to borrowing from local fintech firms. He cited…

By Peter Omopo Abuja, September 9, 2025 — The Federal Government has defended the proposed 5% fuel surcharge under the newly enacted Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, insisting it is aimed at fixing the country’s dilapidated road network rather than adding to Nigerians’ hardship. Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, explained the policy while speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday. He said the surcharge, which takes effect in January 2026, would create a dedicated fund for road infrastructure across the country. “I know everybody is concerned about the impact on inflation —…